By Daniel J. Birach, President, Carolinas HealthCare System’s HEALTHWORKS Division
Any company can build the greatest health and wellness program imaginable for their staff, but it is not fully effective if employees cannot connect with the resources that are available.
The good news is that modern tools and platforms are making it easier than ever for your staff to connect with resources and manage their healthcare needs. But employees still need to know these resources exist in order to take advantage of them.
Over the last several weeks, we’ve discussed how employee health programs that cover specific pillars are far more successful — see lower costs, higher engagement rates and healthier employees. In order to fully tap into these benefits for both the company and staff, organizations have to remove as many barriers to care as possible and make it easy for individuals to access healthcare resources.
In the modern world of mobile apps, video tutorials and digital customer service, it is easier than ever for your team members to find the resources they need to maximize their health. HR teams should be focused on the most effective ways to connect their employees with the resources that are most relevant to their needs. There are several ways to accomplish this.
Easily accessible resources — From the moment you welcome a new employee to the team, companies need to make it easy for them to access their healthcare resources. In addition to a traditional welcome packet filled with brochures, companies can and should invest in an employee website with links to all relevant healthcare resources, as well as clear explanations of benefits, how these resources can be accessed and how to contact HR with questions. For employees who may not access a computer throughout the day, such as warehouse crew members or delivery drivers, post these resources in an employee break room or other space that can be easily reviewed on a regular basis.
On-site health fairs — Employers should invite the various vendors that contribute to the company’s health and wellness program to visit their offices to meet with employees. In addition to showcasing the full range of resources available, these annual or semiannual fairs give employees the opportunity to connect with resource experts. While one employee may have questions about their sleep habits, another may need help understanding your company’s nutrition support program. These questions can be answered at a convenient health fair.
On-site and Virtual services — Employers can lower barriers to access by bringing care directly to the workplace. As we’ve discussed previously, on-site clinics can provide easy, flexible access to staff who are dealing with a chronic or acute medical condition.
Virtual care such as virtual urgent care or virtual health coaching allow employees to get access to care without leaving the office or their desks, facilitating productivity and keep costs down.
In addition to treatments for more serious conditions, preventive care can also be provided. Certain immunizations like an annual flu shot can be a cost-effective way to keep employees healthy, but employees may be unaware of this benefit or may not have time to make an appointment with their doctor. Companies can make this process far easier by bringing healthcare providers on-site to administer the shots. Instead of having to remember to make an appointment away from the office, staff can simply stop by a conference room for five minutes.
Cost-effective care — We’ve also discussed how preventive and health services — from nutrition counseling to health coaching — can be excellent ways to improve your staff’s lives. In addition to productivity and access, the use of one EMR system, can reduce duplication of tests and increase care quality. Our client results show that cost-effective care leads to healthier, more productive employees.
Do you believe your organization is making it easy for employees to access their healthcare? What obstacles do you feel they are facing? What strategies have you implemented to make the process easier for your team? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter (@HEALTHWORKS) and LinkedIn, and visit us again on the Info Hub as we discuss ways employers can help their employees live healthier lives.
Want even more resources? Visit CarolinasHealthCare.org/EmployerSolutions
Any company can build the greatest health and wellness program imaginable for their staff, but it is not fully effective if employees cannot connect with the resources that are available.
The good news is that modern tools and platforms are making it easier than ever for your staff to connect with resources and manage their healthcare needs. But employees still need to know these resources exist in order to take advantage of them.
Over the last several weeks, we’ve discussed how employee health programs that cover specific pillars are far more successful — see lower costs, higher engagement rates and healthier employees. In order to fully tap into these benefits for both the company and staff, organizations have to remove as many barriers to care as possible and make it easy for individuals to access healthcare resources.
Healthcare Pillar Five — Easy Access
In the modern world of mobile apps, video tutorials and digital customer service, it is easier than ever for your team members to find the resources they need to maximize their health. HR teams should be focused on the most effective ways to connect their employees with the resources that are most relevant to their needs. There are several ways to accomplish this.
Easily accessible resources — From the moment you welcome a new employee to the team, companies need to make it easy for them to access their healthcare resources. In addition to a traditional welcome packet filled with brochures, companies can and should invest in an employee website with links to all relevant healthcare resources, as well as clear explanations of benefits, how these resources can be accessed and how to contact HR with questions. For employees who may not access a computer throughout the day, such as warehouse crew members or delivery drivers, post these resources in an employee break room or other space that can be easily reviewed on a regular basis.
On-site health fairs — Employers should invite the various vendors that contribute to the company’s health and wellness program to visit their offices to meet with employees. In addition to showcasing the full range of resources available, these annual or semiannual fairs give employees the opportunity to connect with resource experts. While one employee may have questions about their sleep habits, another may need help understanding your company’s nutrition support program. These questions can be answered at a convenient health fair.
On-site and Virtual services — Employers can lower barriers to access by bringing care directly to the workplace. As we’ve discussed previously, on-site clinics can provide easy, flexible access to staff who are dealing with a chronic or acute medical condition.
Virtual care such as virtual urgent care or virtual health coaching allow employees to get access to care without leaving the office or their desks, facilitating productivity and keep costs down.
In addition to treatments for more serious conditions, preventive care can also be provided. Certain immunizations like an annual flu shot can be a cost-effective way to keep employees healthy, but employees may be unaware of this benefit or may not have time to make an appointment with their doctor. Companies can make this process far easier by bringing healthcare providers on-site to administer the shots. Instead of having to remember to make an appointment away from the office, staff can simply stop by a conference room for five minutes.
Cost-effective care — We’ve also discussed how preventive and health services — from nutrition counseling to health coaching — can be excellent ways to improve your staff’s lives. In addition to productivity and access, the use of one EMR system, can reduce duplication of tests and increase care quality. Our client results show that cost-effective care leads to healthier, more productive employees.
Do you believe your organization is making it easy for employees to access their healthcare? What obstacles do you feel they are facing? What strategies have you implemented to make the process easier for your team? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter (@HEALTHWORKS) and LinkedIn, and visit us again on the Info Hub as we discuss ways employers can help their employees live healthier lives.
Want even more resources? Visit CarolinasHealthCare.org/EmployerSolutions
